THE SHIP AND SIMON’S BAY - From 1922 to 1942 the SATS General Botha was moored in Simon’s Bay, and took part in many naval and nautical occasions. These photographs give a selection of views taken during the period. Most of the photographs were taken by Bert Costick, Signals Instructor, and are now in the possession of the Simon’s Town Museum.

The late Ronald Yeo’s well documented photographic record of his and his shipmates activities, team achievements and VIP visits offer an interesting view of a cadet’s life aboard the ship in 1931. During that year cadet uniforms were changed from ‘square rig’ to ‘fore and aft’, as can be seen in these photographs.
His seagoing career after the Bothie was with the British India Line, until the great depression brought him back to Johannesburg. He volunteered for the South African Air Force during World War II and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while in action “Up North”.
Yeo’s photographs and memorabillia were donated to the OBA by his son Brian, and are published here because of their historical interest and unique recorded detail